Sensory Testing

We have a specialist laboratory equipped for somatosensory psychophysics with a Medoc pathway Pain & Thermal Sensory Evaluation System, a custom built cold pressor & electrocutaneous pain stimulator. We have a full capability for Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) based on the protocols of the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain. Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) is a collection of individual tests used to identify somatosensory detection and pain thresholds. By allowing the systematic study of small and large diameter fibres this allows a detailed investigation of alterations in pain thresholds in clinical populations as well as predictors of pain in the general population. A mechanism based diagnosis of each sign and symptom assists in identifying subgroups of patients and defining the appropriate mode of clinical treatment; this is of extreme importance for clinical groups that may experience altered sensory profiles.